Biking for bucks …

Harry Pollack and Noah Alper of Berkeley, James Mize of Danville and Murray Zucker of San Francisco were among 400 bike riders (150 from the U.S.) who donned American Friends of Alyn Hospital spandex and rode from Jerusalem to Eilat earlier this month. Called “Wheels of Love,” it’s a 300-mile, five-day ride that benefits the Jerusalem hospital, which treats children with a range of physical disabilities from all over the world.

… And walking, too

J. associate publisher Nora Contini and family walked 60 miles in three days in Phoenix earlier this month to fight breast cancer. Contini, who completed the walk for the third time, said, “I walk to honor the incredible courage, resilience and humor of my friends and relatives who are, at this moment, in the midst of their battles against breast cancer.” Joining her were her daughter, Emma Contini Franklin, 16, sister Barbara Contini and sister-in-law Janice Contini. The four raised $8,800 for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

Shoshana Knepler of Woodacre collected $175 from friends and family — instead of gifts — for her eighth birthday, writes her proud dad, David Knepler. The money goes to the Jolie Foundation, a group that helps children in orphanages in China and elsewhere receive surgical treatment to return their lives to a level of normalcy, writes Knepler. Shoshana and older sister Sylvie Knepler were adopted as babies by Knepler and his wife, Karen Koenig, from an orphanage in Anhui Province in China.

Last year, the philanthropic-minded Shoshana donated her birthday money to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

… And charitable grown-ups

Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay leaders demonstrated their support for the federation and Israel at two events in October. At the Lion of Judah lunch Anne Bakar, Terry Friedkin, Claudia Felson and guest speaker journalist Sue Fishkoff greeted and inspired a group of 41 women. Later in the month, Gloria and Ron Gruber opened their Piedmont home to 130 who donated more than $1 million to the Israel Emergency Campaign. Dinner chairs were Katie and Amnon Rodan and honorary chairs were Amy and Mort Friedkin. The evening included a tribute to the “legacies of our community — Mathilde Albers, Judy and Max Brown, Alice and Leslie Kessler and Vera and Joe Zatkin,” reports Arlene Burbank, marketing director for the East Bay federation.

Across the Bay, the Jewish Community Endowment Fund of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation honored John Osterweis as JCEF Professional of the Year at its annual tax seminar lunch. Richard Rosenberg presided and JCF past presidents Annette Dobbs, Alan Rothenberg, Don Seiler, Harold Zlot and Adele Corvin were among the guests. JCEF director Phyllis Cook announced a whopping $203 million in grants distributed last year from the fund.

Nicole Friend and Gar Duke are sailing off (literally) in mid-November. Their destination: Tahiti by June. Parents Bob and Michelle Friend hope to meet them somewhere along the way …

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